Greg Papadopoulos,
Sun Microsystems Inc.

Updated Feb. 2, 2005 12:01 a.m. ET

Where: 10 Network Circle, Menlo Park, Calif.

What you see: An emotional connection. The circuitry that decorates this chief technology officer's office appears to be a jumble of chips and wires. But to Greg Papadopoulos, the bulky prototypes and outdated production models are almost alive.

Computers "react; they respond; they do useful work," he explains. Systems engineering "is as close to creating life as you...